Many have assumed that the Tigers are going to go after Rafael Soriano or some other free agent closer. They need a closer. They have the money. They’ve worked quite nicely with Scott Boras before. If they don’t go after someone they’re going to be forced to go with a rookie closer in Bruce Rondon. It just makes sense, the reasoning goes.

Not so fast, Dave Dombrowski tells the Detroit News’ Lynn Henning:

Just got off phone with Dombrowski. Made it clear Tigers are NOT shopping for a closer. Will go to camp giving Rondon every shot to win job.

wow! if this is true it has to be a huge hit to soriano. the biggest money/contract was most likely going to come from the Tigers. who else has money and is that desparate for a closer that wants at least 3-4 years and probably Paplebon money?

Or roll the dice with one of the veterans mentioned above who already have shown an ability to post a superior K/BB ratio in the major leagues. No reason to make Rondon the opening day closer even if he’s the long-term possible solution.

I’m really glad Coke came through at the end, but looking over the whole of his performance with us, I would be nervous to put too much faith in him. Benoit too. I would like to strengthen our bullpen and hope that Rondon is the solution. Still, it never hurts to bring in some insurance, if you can.

The grass always looks greener, he was getting top dollar from the Yankees and he opts out? I’ll bet if he keeps getting this response from other teams that Yankee contract he opted out of was pretty sweet after all. Time will tell.

All true but after last year he likely isn’t going to get a better opportunity to get a big contract than right now.

Due to Rivera’s injury he had the chance to again show case his worth as a closer and he did a great job. Had he stayed with the Yankees and Rivera stayed the closer for the entire year, .. a very likely outcome, .. by the time his contracts up he a set up man that is a year older and hasn’t closed for a year. He ends 2013 as a nearly 34 year old closer looking for a 3-4 year contact. Not a very promising scenario. And, while 2013 is likely Rivera’s last, that’s not certain either so staying with the Yankees and hoping to inherit the closer job is a gamble too.

It is a gamble for sure but his best shot at getting the type of contract he’s looking for was taking that shot now. Whether it works or not is another matter.

It just doesn’t make sense, if your goal is to win a World Series because you have an owner who wants a championship in baseball to go along with his four Stanley Cups and is not in the best of health, to go with an untested closer. My money is on the Tigers either signing a free agent closer or trading for one before Opening Day 2013.

Is Soriano still looking for like 12 million+ a year? I heard he turned down 1 year/14 mil. I can’t imagine the Tigers want to be on the hook for a 4 year/50 mil kind of deal for what is often a flash in the pan position. How many closers just take their huge contracts and seem to fade? Give Rondon a shot and if he doesn’t work out, make a trade. No reason to sink money into Soriano.